Florida Keys Conch Republic, Tavernier, 04-July-98

Dive Reports:

Dive #1:
Sunday, 04-July, Morning Dive. My Dive #210
A. Dive Boat / Location:
Conch Republic / Duane
B. Conditions:
Visibility:
50'
Seas:
1'
Water Temp:
82 deg
Skies:
Cloud cover, no rain
Air Temp:
80's
C. Dive Information:
Depth & Time:
Me: Genesis Nitrox Dive Computer - 107 ft for 28 min
, Me: Analog 106 ft
, Me: Cochran Captain 101 ft (UGH) for 28 mn
Dive Partner: 124 ft for 28 min
Air consumption:
Me: 3300 - 1150 lb (120 cu ft)
Dive Partner: 3200 - 550 lb (80 cu ft)
Current:
Very Strong
Description:
Well, this was a typical Duane dive
for me and a first for my dive partner! For this deep wreck with a very strong
current, ya gotta discuss what our going to do, several times, before you
enter the water. The current was going from the bow to the stern! We were
to go down the bow line and up the stern line! Our plan was to do the swim
throughs, about three deck level compartments, look at the bridge and take
a peek at the props. Well, the current was very strong. Ya had to hold on
at all times. There was no way to swim just above the deck level. We walked
our way down the deck using our hands pull ourselves along. We did the swim
throughs, a couple of times we got caught in the current and really had to pull
ourselves free. With my computer time running down to 4 minutes, we started
for the stern. I had two minutes left at the deck level. My partner, with a
more generous computer, was able to go down and touch both props! We ended
the dive by very slowely ascending the stern moring line. While decompressing
at 15 - 20', the current kept us straight out from the line for our 3 minute
or more safety stop! After the stop, we surfaced, let go from the line and
was picked up by Republic II. A great dive!

Dive #2:
Sunday, 04-July, Morning Dive. My Dive #212
A. Dive Boat / Location:
Republic II / Fishing Hole
B. Conditions:
Visibility:
40'
Seas:
less than 1 ft
Water Temp:
84
Skies:
Some clouds - kept the 90 degree
summer sun away!
Air Temp:
high 80's
C. Dive Information:
Depth & Time:
Me: Genesis Nitrox Dive Computer - 48 ft for 56 min
, Me: Analog 48 ft
, Cochran Captain: 45 ft for 56 min.
Dive Partner: 42 ft for 54 min
Air consumption:
Me: 3200 - 700 lb (80 cu ft)
Dive Partner: 3200 - 300 lb (80 cu ft)
Current:
light to light/medium
Description:
This was a slow drift dive. I had
the ball (couldn't get lost that way). We saw one 2' turtle (not as big as
in Jupiter, but it was a turtle). There were several bugs - just around legal
size. There also was a lot of dead sponges that had turned black! They had
a rubbery feeling?.. All of the coral was dead - no color at all! The relief's
were 1-2', not many fish! Is the Florida Key's Reefs dead / or dying??..